I am a student at the Craft Students League in New York City which is
losing its space in March and whose continued existence is under
serious threat due to current circumstances. Students and all those
involved w/ the CSL have been asked to come up with ideas, contacts,
anything that might help its continuity and I couldn't think of a
better group to turn to then Orchid.

For over 75 years The Craft Students League has been home to all
types of crafts and craftspeople including jewelers, metalsmiths,
enamelists, ceramicists, glass workers, woodworkers, papermakers,
bookmakers, painters, mixed media artists and many others.

Professionals and dedicated enthusiasts alike have nutured their
skills in its classes.

For 30 years the Craft Students League has been based in the 53rd St.
YWCA in New York City. Unfortunately, the YWCA's building has been
sold to developers and all classes end in mid-March. It is unclear
where the Y is going and regardless it appears that the Y will no
longer maintain its relationship w/ the CSL. The New York crafts
community and NYC itself will suffer a huge loss without the
wonderful service, community and space that the Craft Students League
provides.

If anyone knows of any space that might support a variety of crafts
people or would like to contribute time, money or ideas to help
support the CSL in its search for a new home, or to contribute to the
CSL's new space when it finds one I believe the best contacts are
listed below. I am merely a student at CSL who thought Orchid and
other groups might be able to help. Please direct all your contacts
to:

I really want to thank Joel for bringing up this urgent issue. As aninstructor at the Craft Students League, I am deeply saddened by thethought that this great organization could be dissolved. I find itvery difficult to put into words the value that CSL for myself andeveryone involved with it.

During the time I have been associated with CSL, I have come to seewhat an important place it is to both new and returning students. Wehave so many people who have been coming for decades. It is thehighlight of their week to spend time working on their craft. Thereare the elderly students who thrive because of their creative work,and there are also the people who have stressful corporate jobs whotake classes at CSL as a way to relax or to explore an alternatecareer path. Not only do the students benefit, but the greatercommunity of craftspeople benefits from the great appreciation thatour students have for all handmade work, even if they take only oneclass.

My own association with the school has allowed to reach certainstages in my own career that would have been far more difficultotherwise. Where else in NYC could I have found a studio with somany open hours? It was the first place I found after college to goand work on my own projects. I also began my jewelry line so that Iwould have some work to sell at the annual sale in December. It waswith the encouragement and support of my fellow staff as well as thestudents that I have been able to stick with it in the slowtimes.

We have a considerable amount of physical equipment and tools, but itis the human capital and collective knowledge of the instructors andstudents that would be impossible to replace. I know that the CraftStudents League can be a self-sustained organization on it's own. Wejust need help at this critical moment to keep the momentum.

Please contact Fran or Janna, as Joel mentioned.Thank you all in advance,

Please contact me off-line as to a new location for the CraftsStudent League. I have been a student there also ( a few years ago)and would like to help in their search. I live on the Upper WestSide and know of a few good spots.